Premier League: Three things we learned as Arsenal’s lead drops to six points
Newcastle continue their winning streak
BRENTFORD 1-2 NEWCASTLE UNITED
Newcastle United continue their great run of form as they battled against Brentford to secure three points.
The Bees surprised Newcastle by piling on the pressure from the first whistle. However, once Newcastle started to take control of the midfield and have more possession, Brentford had to rely on their counter-attacking style of play. They were unlucky not to have scored more in the first half as they had a goal chopped off due to an offside and a penalty miss by Ivan Toney, although he managed to redeem himself after they were awarded a second penalty just before the break.
The Magpies will be delighted with this result after a less-than-convincing first half. Eddie Howe made a couple of changes at half-time that changed the momentum of the game and just nine minutes into the second half, a David Raya own goal levelled the scoreline. Substitute Callum Wilson had a fantastic impact on the game, assisting Alexander Isak’s goal in the 61st minute and scoring a goal that was disallowed due to a handball.
Thomas Frank’s men fall to ninth in the table as they fail to win their fourth game in a row in the league. They travel to Molineux Stadium to face Wolves on Saturday 15 April.
Howe’s men have gained another valuable win as they remain in third, having won five games on the bounce. They head to Villa Park to face Aston Villa on Saturday 15 April.
Manchester City relentless as they defeat Southampton
SOUTHAMPTON 1-4 MANCHESTER CITY
Manchester City win yet another game in devastating fashion as they put four past Southampton away from home.
The Saints knew that it would be an uphill battle against a relentless Man City side, even at St. Mary’s. However, that was an understatement as they were up against the wall for the full 90 minutes, only managing 27% possession and one shot on target which was the goal scored by Sekou Mara in the 72nd minute.
The Citizens were dominant throughout the game, not letting Southampton into the game. Star player Erling Haaland fit right back into the team after being absent from their last match, scoring a brace with one of the goals being a spectacular bicycle kick. Jack Grealish had another great performance, scoring and getting an assist. World Cup winner Julian Alvarez put the game to bed, scoring a penalty in the 75th minute.
Ruben Selles’ side are rock bottom of the league with eight games remaining to turn things around and stay in the Premier League. They host Crystal Palace at St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday 15 April.
Pep Guardiola’s men will see this as just another routine win as they keep up their pursuit of the top of the league. They head back to the Etihad to host Leicester City on Saturday 15 April.
Liverpool staggers Arsenal’s title charge in thrilling game
LIVERPOOL 2-2 ARSENAL
Liverpool secured a point in an action-packed game against Arsenal. Both sides will feel they deserved all three points but will be relieved to have not lost.
The Reds were going toe to toe with Arsenal in the opening few minutes as both teams tried to get on the front foot. However, just eight minutes after kick-off, they found themselves a goal down after a quick attack by Arsenal and a defensive mistake from Virgil Van Dijk. It got even worse as Arsenal doubled their lead in the 28th minute, with Liverpool getting flashbacks to their 4-1 defeat at the hands of Man City.
However, the game started to get heated which played in Liverpool’s favour as the fans got behind them again. They managed to pull one back before the break, through Mohamed Salah as he sent his side down the tunnel with a belief that they could go and get a result. The second half was phenomenal as the Anfield side controlled the game looking for the equaliser which finally arrived from a goal by Roberto Firmino in the 87th minute. They were relentless in stoppage time, creating chance after chance but just couldn’t find the winning goal.
Arsenal was in control for the majority of the first half, especially after Gabriel Martinelli’s goal in the eighth minute. After Gabriel Jesus scored the second goal, it looked as though Arsenal would cruise through the game and get the three points. It seemed the Anfield crowd was too much for them as they let Liverpool get a foot into the game and eventually take charge. They have Aaron Ramsdale to thank as he was world-class, especially in stoppage time, pulling off two exceptional saves which could be very important in their title charge.
Jurgen Klopp’s men fought very well to get a result from this game. They currently sit eighth in the table with their Champions League hopes slipping away. They travel away to Elland Road to face Leeds on Monday 17 April.
Mikel Arteta’s side have dropped a valuable two points, although they will be glad to have gained at least one as their lead at the top of the league drops to six points. They face West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday 16 April.
Other Fixtures
MANCHESTER UNITED 2-0 EVERTON
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2-1 BRIGHTON
LEICESTER CITY 0-1 BOURNEMOUTH
FULHAM 0-1 WEST HAM UNITED
ASTON VILLA 2-0 NOTTINGHAM FOREST
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 1-0 CHELSEA
LEEDS UNITED 1-5 CRYSTAL PALACE